Sit or stand strollers and methods of making the same

ABSTRACT

Sit or stand strollers and methods of using and making the same are described herein. An example stroller includes a frame and a seat having a seat pan. The seat pan is pivotable between a raised position and a lowered position. In the lowered position, the seat pan is to support a child in a seated position. The example stroller also includes a foot platform coupled to the frame to support a child in a standing position.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/163,351, entitled “Sit or Stand Strollers andMethods of Using the Same,” which was filed on Mar. 25, 2009, and isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to strollers and, inparticular, to strollers in which occupant(s) can sit or stand.

BACKGROUND

Child strollers, such as, for example, collapsible strollers are knownin the art. Typically, strollers of this type include a foldable frame,wheels, and one or more seats or flat areas to support a child or babyin a seated or lying position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example stroller having an examplesit or stand support.

FIG. 2 is an isolated view of the example sit or stand support of FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative example stroller havingan alternative example sit or stand support.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of an example seat and frame coupling of theexample stroller of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of an example cross-bar of the examplestroller of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 in an enlarged view of an example mounting coupled to an examplerear frame of the example stroller of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of an example joint of the example strollerof FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 a perspective view of a portion of the example stroller of FIG. 3showing an example handle bar in a raised position.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the example joint of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is an isolated view of a portion of the example frame of theexample stroller of FIG. 3.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the example joint ofFIG. 7.

FIG. 12 is a top view of an example foot platform.

FIG. 13 is an isolated view of the example foot platform of FIG. 12 inan extended position.

FIG. 14 is an isolated view of the example foot platform of FIG. 12 in afolded position.

FIG. 15 is side view of a portion of the example stroller of FIG. 3 withan example basket.

FIG. 16. is a view of the example basket of FIG. 15 separated from theexample stroller.

FIG. 17 is a front view of a portion of the example stroller of FIG. 3with an example car seat adapter.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an alternative example stroller havingan alternative example sit or stand support showing an example handlebar in a lowered position.

FIG. 19 a perspective view of a portion of the example stroller of FIG.18 showing the example handle bar in a raised position.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a portion of the example stroller ofFIG. 18 with an example seat pan in a lowered position and the handlebar removed.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a portion of the example stroller ofFIG. 18 with the example seat pan in a raised position and the handlebar removed.

FIG. 22 is an enlarged view of the portion of the example sit or standsupport showing example straps to hold the seat pan in the raisedposition.

FIG. 23 is a cross sectional view of the example stroller of FIG. 18taken along the 23-23 line of FIG. 18 showing a side of the example sitor stand support facing the center of the stroller.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a portion of the example stroller ofFIG. 18 showing an example footrest, example step and example storagecompartment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, an example stroller 10 is shown. The examplestroller 10 includes a first frame assembly 19 and a second frameassembly 20 laterally spaced from each other. In this example thedistance between the side frames 19 and 20 is approximately the width ofa seat. Furthermore, the side frame assemblies 19 and 20 are constructedsuch as to be moveable between an extending in-use configuration whereinthe front and rear legs on a frame side are displaced a distance apart(FIG. 1) and a collapsed, folded, storage position wherein the front andrear legs are positioned in close proximity to one another (not shown).The example stroller 10 also includes rear wheels 22, at least one frontwheel 24, and a seat 26. The frame assemblies 19 and 20 each include agenerally concave downwardly curved leg support 32 extending from thefront of the stroller 10 to the back of the stroller 10. The frameassemblies 19 and 20 also each include a generally concave upwardlycurved seat support frame 33. The leg support 32 and the seat supportframe 33 are pivotally coupled to enable the folding of the stroller 10by bringing the front and rear wheels toward one another. A front legassembly 30 is mounted to the forward end of the leg support 32. Ahandle 34 (i.e., a parent handle bar) is pivotally mounted to therearward end of the leg support 32. The front leg assembly 30 is acurved bar extending from the left side to the right side of thestroller 10. The handle 34 is a generally u-shaped structure. Releasablejoints 35 at each side of the frame 19 and 20 enable the leg support 32and the seat frame support 33 to fold from the extended position of FIG.1 to a collapsed position. The joints 35 of the seat support frame 33comprise side locks 36 to lock the frame in its open position (shown inFIG. 1), and may be released selectively to allow the stroller 10 to befolded to a closed, compact configuration (not shown). The examplestrollers described herein are provided for purposes of illustrationonly. Any suitable stroller, including for example, a three wheelstroller, an umbrella stroller, a jogging stroller, a single-occupantstroller, etc. may benefit from the example sit and stand supportsdescribed herein.

The illustrated example stroller is a tandem stroller with reversibleseats. The seats 26 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 1) include tworeceptacles 37; one on each side of the seat 26. The receptacles 37 arelocated and dimensioned to receive mounts 43 on the upper ends of theseat support frame 33. Spring buttons associated with the receptacles 37and/or the mounts 43 of the seat support frame 33 secure the seats 26 ineither a rearward facing direction (shown in FIG. 1) or a forward facingdirection.

In the illustrated example, the stroller 10 includes a sit or standsupport 40. The sit or stand support 40 of FIG. 1 includes a childsupport frame 42 having first and second side rails 46, 48 and agenerally horizontal support rail 41. In some examples, the childsupport frame 42 is fixedly coupled to the seat frame support 33, but inthe illustrated example of FIG. 1, the child support frame 42 isreleasably secured to the seat frame support 33 via spring buttons. Inother examples, the location of the receptacles 51 of the child support42 may be adjusted to different heights by sliding the support joints 44carrying the receptacle 51 along the first side rail 46 and the secondside rail 48, respectively, and securing them to a correspondingposition.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, the support joints 44 have first tubularextensions 50 and second tubular extensions 52. The first side rail 46and the second side rail 48 are coupled to the support joints 44 via thefirst tubular extensions 50. A first side handle 54 and a second sidehandle 56 are coupled to the support joints 44 via the second tubularextensions 52. In the example shown in FIG. 2 there are two sidehandles, 54, 56. However, other examples include one u-shaped handle.The handles 54, 56 may be used by a child for support. Furthermore, thehandles 54, 56 may be foam or plastic covered to provide a comfortablegriping surface for a child. In some examples, a tray, cupholder and/orother accessory may be removably or permanently coupled to the handles54, 56, the joints 44, or otherwise to the structure of the stroller 10.

The support joints 44 of the illustrated example include theabove-mentioned receptacles 51. The receptacles extend from the centerof the joints 44 downward. The receptacles 51 each include an openingthrough which the joints 44 are coupled to the seat support frame 33, asdescribed in more detail below.

The example sit or stand support 40 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes aseat 58. The seat 58 shown in the illustrated example includes acontoured seat surface 60 that is shaped to complement the shape of achild's body. The contoured seat surface includes a crotch post 62 towhich a seat belt 64 is coupled. The seat belt 64 in the illustratedexample is a three-point belt that has two other ends coupled to thesides of the seat 58. The center of the belt 64 includes a locking clasp66 to releasable lock the seat belt 64. The seat 58 also includes a seatback 68. The seat back 68 may be any desired height and provides supportfor a child. In addition, the seat back 68 and seat surface 60 may bepadded to provide further comfort to a child seated therein.

The example seat 58 includes two seat side extensions 70 that arerotatably coupled to the support joints 44. To rotate the seat 58between a lowered positioned, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and a raised oropen position (shown in a faded outline in FIG. 2), a user grasps theseat 58, for example, via, for instance, a grip opening 72 in the seatback 68 and rotates the seat 58 between the two positions (i.e., alongthe arc A shown in FIG. 2). The seat 58 may be held in the open positionby a locking means in the joint 44. For example, the locking means inthe joint 44 may be a pin-type connection using a pin and detent oraperture to lock the seat 58 open at one or a plurality of differentheights. The pin may be held in place by friction or may bespring-loaded (e.g., by a Valco pin). Alternatively, the locking meansin the joint 44 may be a gear-type connection in which a toothed wheelis spring-biased into engagement with one or more complementary teeth ona rack. The locking means in the joint may be releasably actuated by auser by depressing or releasing a spring-loaded pin or button or, in thecase of a friction fit, by applying sufficient force to the seat 58. Thesupport joints 44 respectively include a button 45 that may be actuatedto release a locking mechanism that couples the joints 44 with the seatsupport frame 33 to allow the rear joints 44 and, thus, the entire sitor stand structure 40 to be decoupled from rear assembly 19, 20.

The bottom of the seat 58 includes a groove 74 that fits, at leastpartially, over the horizontal support rail 41 of the child support 42.When the groove is engaged with the horizontal support rail 41, a sealmay be formed between the seat 58 and a storage bin 76 beneath the seat.Furthermore, the groove 74 may include one or more detents on thesurface that complement one or more indents formed on the surface of thehorizontal support rail 41 (or vice versa). When the seat 58 is loweredonto the horizontal support rail 41, the dent(s) in the groove 74 andthe indent(s) on the central frame engage. When the detents(s) in thegroove 74 and the indent(s) on the central frame engage, the user mayphysically feel and/or hear the engagement. This signals to the userthat the seat 58 is secure on the horizontal support rail 41 and, thus,that the seat 58 will not move forward and upward while a child isoccupying the seat 58.

As noted above, the example sit or stand support 40 also includes thestorage bin 76. In the illustrated example, the storage bin 76 includesa plurality of sidewalls 78 that are supported from and extend downwardrelative to the horizontal support rail 41. The sidewalls 78 may be madeof a mesh material, a fabric, a plastic and/or any other suitablematerial. Further, the sidewalls 78 may be transparent, translucentand/or opaque. In addition, the sidewalls 78 may include a plurality ofapertures (e.g., when mesh) through which the contents of the storagebin 76 are visible. The storage bin 76 also includes an at leastpartially open top (not shown) via which the interior of the storage bin76 is accessible when the seat 58 is in the raised or open position(shown in shadow in FIG. 2). Furthermore, the storage bin 76 may includeshelves, dividers, pockets and/or other organizational structure. Theexample storage bin 76 may also include a floorboard 80 that may includea stiffening insert and/or be of a relatively firm material to providestructure to the storage bin 76. If desired, the storage bin 76 may be aremovable plastic bucket or the like having an upper lip that operatesas the horizontal support rail 41 of the child support 42.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the example sit or stand structure alsoincludes a foot platform 82. The foot platform 82 of the illustratedexample supports a child in a standing position and/or a child climbingonto the stroller 10 to access the seat 58. One or more contours orgrip-providing structures 84 may be coupled to or integrally formed withthe foot platform 82 to provide traction and stability to a childstanding, walking or climbing thereon. When in the standing position, achild may face forward and grasp the handles 54, 56 or may face backwardand grasp the seat 58 for support. In either position, the handles 54,56 and the seat 58 form a surrounding structure to enable the child tomaintain his/her balance on the platform 82. In some examples the footplatform 82 is fixedly coupled to, for example, the lower ends of thefirst side rail 46 and the second side rail 48. In other examples, thefoot platform 82 may be adjusted to different heights along the firstside rail 46 and the second side rail 48. The foot platform 82 mayadditionally or alternatively be coupled to the stroller frame 19, 20.Another example coupling of a foot platform is discussed below.

The example sit or stand support 40 of FIGS. 1 and 2 is removable fromthe stroller 10, as noted above, and may be interchanged or replacedwith another sit or stand support, a child carrier, or other childcaretaking structure. For example, the sit or stand support 40 isexchangeable with a second seat thereby enabling the stroller 10 to beused as a two-seated tandem stroller. To remove the sit or standstructure 40 from the stroller, the sit or stand structure 40 isreleased from the joints 44, as noted above. It may then be replacedwith a seat similar to the shown front seat 26 or other structure.

FIG. 3 shows another example stroller 90 that includes an alternativeexample sit or stand structure 92 coupled to the seat support frame 33.The example stroller 90 of FIG. 3 includes a rear seat 94 that iscoupled to the stroller 90 at a cross-bar 96 (FIGS. 4 and 5) and at theseat support frame 33 via one or more example joints 98. At thecross-bar 96, the seat 94 is removably coupled to the frame via a zipper100. The zipper 100 is used to join fabric flanges that wrap around thecross-bar 96. When zipped, the flanges and zipper 100 secure the lowerfront portion of the seat 94 to the cross-bar 96. Although a zipper isshown in the illustrated example, in other examples any other suitablereleasable fastener may be used such as, for example, snaps, clips,hooks, straps, Velcro®, etc.

FIGS. 6-11 show the seat 94 and/or sit or stand structure 92 mounted tothe frame of the stroller 90 via first and second bayonet couplingmechanisms. For example, FIG. 6 illustrates a mount 43 that is coupledto an upper end of the seat support frame 33. In other examples, themount 43 may be integral with the seat support frame 33. The mount 43includes a button 108 (e.g., a spring-loaded button) or an extension inthe form of a flange and living hinge, or any other suitable movableextension. When the sit or stand structure 92 is coupled to the seatsupport frame 33, the spring-loaded button 108 extends through anaperture 106 in a lateral extension 102 of an outer hub 99 of the joint98, as shown in FIGS. 3, 7 and 8. The lateral extension 102 extendsoutwardly from the center of the stroller 90 on the outer hub 99 of thejoint 98. The lateral extension 102 includes an opening 104, whichattaches around the mount 43 of an upper end of the seat support frame33. When the button 108 is actuated (e.g., depressed), the seat 94including the joints 98 may be decoupled from the mount 43 and, thus,may be removed completely from the stroller 90 and optionally replacedwith another structure (e.g., a storage basket, the sit or standstructure 40 of FIGS. 1 and 2, or any other suitable child care device).The mount 43 of FIG. 6 is also included with the example of FIGS. 1 and2 and, thus, the receptacles 37 are provided with apertures sized anddimensioned to receive the spring-loaded buttons 108.

In other examples, the mount 43 and or the seat support frame 33 mayinclude a plurality of spring buttons, pins, apertures, indentations,etc. to which the lateral extension 102 may be coupled. The plurality ofbuttons may be arranged along the mount 43 to enable the seat 94 to beraised or lowered along the seat support frame 33 to a desired height.When the seat 94 is in the desired position with respect to the seatsupport frame 33, the buttons associated with that position are releasedand the joints 98 are locked in the desired position. In examples inwhich there is only one button 108 on one of the mounts 43 of thestroller 90, the seat 94 may be adjusted and/or removed with one hand.Alternatively, there may be buttons 108 (and effectively locks) at bothjoints 98 for added security.

As shown in FIG. 7, each of the joints 98 also includes a jointextension 110. A pivot housing or rotatable extension 112 is disposed atthe distal end of the extension 110 (FIGS. 7-11). The joint extension110 may be coupled to or integral with the outer hub 99 or an inner hub101 of the joint 98. In this example, the rotatable extensions 112include an opening 114 into which a pivotable handle bar 116 extends.The handle bar 116 is movable between a raised position, as shown inFIG. 8, in which the handle bar 116 is raised toward the top of the seat94 to enable a child to enter or exit the stroller 90, and a lowerposition as shown in FIG. 3 in which the handle bar 116 is disposed tothe front of the seat 94 to encapsulate or substantially surround aseated or standing child in the stroller 90.

An example mechanism for rotating the handle bar 116 is shown in anexploded view in FIG. 9 and in a cross-sectional view in FIG. 11. Thejoint extension 110 includes a button 120 coupled thereto. The button120 is selectively engageable with an inner latch 122 to cause the innerlatch 122 to engage or disengage or further engage or further disengagean interior wall 124 of the joint extension 110 or the rotatableextension 112. The joint extension 110, inner latch 122 and rotatableextension 112 are coupled via a fastener 126 (see FIG. 11) such as, forexample, a rivet or bolt or any other suitable fastener. When the button120 is actuated, the button 120 forces the inner latch 122 away from theinner wall 124 of the joint extension 110 against the force of a spring128 (which may be, for example, a compression spring) to release ordisengage the inner latch 122 from the inner surface 124 of the jointextension 110. When the button 120 is actuated, the inner latch 122 andthe rotatable extension 112 may be freely rotated between the loweredposition of FIG. 3 and the raised position of FIG. 8. When the button120 is released, the force from the spring 128 forces the inner latch122 back into engagement with the inner wall 124 of the joint extension110, which releasably locks the rotatable extension 112 in position withthe joint extension 110.

When the inner latch 122 is disengaged from the inner wall 124 of thejoint extension 110 and, thus, freely rotatable, the rotatable extension122 is rotatable against the force of a spring 130, which may be, forexample a torsion spring. The torsion spring 130 is operably coupled tothe joint extension 110 and the rotatable extension 122. When therotatable extension 112 is released (e.g., when a user releases thehandle bar 116, as described herein), the torsion spring 130 causes therotatable extension 112 to rotate and return to the lowered positionshown in FIG. 3. Consequently, the handle bar 16 is biased to thelowered position and, therefore, the handle bar 116 will automaticallyclose (e.g., enter the default position) to encapsulate or substantiallysurround a child occupying the sit or stand structure 92 of the stroller90.

As described above, the handle bar 116 is coupled to the rotatableextension 112. In particular, the handle bar 116 is inserted into orotherwise engages the opening 114 (FIG. 7) in the rotatable extension112. Thus, upon actuation of the button 120, the handle bar 116 mayrotate between the lowered position, which encapsulated the childoccupant, and the raised position, which facilitates access into or outof the stroller 90, as described above. Furthermore, the examplestroller 90 may include a single button 120 on one side of the stroller90 to enable one-handed rotation of the handle bar 116. In otherexamples, however, there may be a button 120 on each side of thestroller 120, and actuation of both buttons may be required to enablerotation of the handle bar 116.

The joints 98 also include a stationary extension 132 to which a seatframe 95 of the seat 94 is couplable. In the example shown, a u-shapedtube forms the seat frame 95. The seat frame 95 forms the back and headsupport portions of the seat 94. In other examples, the seat frame maybe any other shape, may include any number of components and/or may bearranged in any suitable configuration to provide a seat back support.Furthermore, in some examples the stationary extension 132 may bereplaced with a second rotatable extension to enable the seat back torecline to a desired position. Such a rotatable extension that enablesreclining of the seat back may operate in a manner similar to therotatable extension 112 that enables rotation of the handle bar 116.

The example stroller 90 also includes a removable foot platform 140 asshown in FIGS. 12-14. The foot platform 140 supports the weight of achild that is either climbing into the stroller 90 to sit in the seat 94or that is standing on the foot platform 140 and, perhaps, holding thehandle bar 116, while the stroller 90 is in use. The foot platform 140is coupled to the lower ends of two foldable legs 142, which are shownin FIG. 13 in an extended or deployed position for use in the stroller90 and in FIG. 14 in a folded or stowed position for storage. In theillustrated example, the legs 142 are each coupled to a stand 144 via apivot pin 146 that enable the legs to rotate between the extended andfolded positions. In other examples, the legs may telescope, may bestationary, may include a plurality of folds and/or may otherwiseretract. The stands 144 include two fingers 145 that are separated adistance less than the diameter or width of the legs 142. When the legs142 are moved from the folded position to the extended position, thelegs 142 snap into the stands 144 and the fingers 145 hold the legs 142in the extended position. To fold the legs 142, the user pushes the legs142 past the fingers 145 and out of the stand 144. In the illustratedexample, the stroller 90 may be folded into a storage position withoutremoving the foot platform 140. When the stroller 90 is folded, theplatform 140 pivots upward to a folded position.

Each of the legs 142 also includes a hook 148 to couple the footplatform 140 to the cross-bar 96 of the stroller. However, in otherexamples, any other clip, strap or other suitable fastener may be usedadditionally or alternatively to the hooks 148. The hooks 148 include afirst wall 150, a second wall 152, a third wall 154 and a grip 156. Oneor more of the first wall 150, the second wall 152, the third wall 154and/or the grip 156 may be integrally formed. In the illustratedexample, the first wall 150 is coupled to the legs 142. The second wall152 is coupled to the first wall 150 and extends in an arc away from thelegs 142 to the third wall 154. The third wall 154 curves back inwardtoward the first wall 150 so that the distance between the lower portionof the third wall 154 and the first wall 150 is less than the diameteror width of the cross-bar 96 of the stroller. This provides a secureconnection of the foot platform 140 with the cross-bar 96. The thirdwall 154 is coupled to the grip 156, which may be used to pull the thirdwall 154 away from the first wall 150 to increase the distance betweenthe third wall 154 and the first wall 150 and, thus, to facilitate theremoval of the foot platform 140 from the cross-bar 96.

The example foot platform 140 also includes one or more grip areas 158that may provide traction for a child standing thereon. The grip areas158 may include a grip tape, a textured surface, a fabric or any othersuitable traction providing surface. Furthermore, in some examples, thefoot platform 140 may rest on other frame components of the stroller 90.In other examples, the foot platform 140, legs 142 and hooks 148 may bemade of a material of suitable mechanical strength to support a childwithout relying on other frame components of the stroller 90 foradditional mechanical support.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show an alternative example in which a first seat 93 hasbeen removed from the front mounts 43 of the seat support frame 33 ofthe stroller 90 and a storage basket 160 has been coupled to the mounts43. In this example, the storage basket 160 includes a joint 162 thatincludes a receptacle 164 through which the basket 160 is releasablycouplable to the mount 43. The mount 43 of the example of FIGS. 15 and16 is similar to and operates in a similar way as the mount 43 of FIGS.6-8. Thus, the mount 43 includes a spring-loaded button 108. The button108 may be actuated to remove the basket 160 (FIG. 16). In otherexamples, the joint 162 and the mount 43 are not lockably engageableand, therefore, the basket 160 may be removed with one hand simply bylifting the basket 160 from the stroller 90 without actuation of anyother components.

The basket 160 of the illustrated example includes a handle 166 thatincludes detents (not shown) which enable the handle 166 to be locked ina vertical position (FIG. 16) for carrying and in a horizontal position(FIG. 15) for storage on the frame 35. In the illustrated example, thehandle 166 is a bent steel tube. In other examples, the handle 166 maybe one or more components of any suitable material.

The basket 160 of the illustrated example includes a top frame 167 towhich a fabric enclosure 168 is coupled. The frame 167 in this exampleis an oval shape and comprises two separate tubes that are coupledtogether. In other examples, the frame 167 may be any suitable shape andmay comprise an integral tube or any number of components. Further, thehandle 166 and the frame 167 are coupled to the joint 162 via rivetsand/or any other suitable fastener. Also, in this example, the fabricenclosure 168 is coupled to the frame 167 via a plurality of straps 169.However, in other examples, the fabric enclosure 168 may be coupled tothe frame 167 via any suitable mechanical or chemical fastener(s).

FIG. 17 shows an alternative example in which an example car seatadapter 170 is coupled to the front frame 35 of the stroller 90. Theexample car seat adapter 170 may be used to couple a car seat (notshown) to the stroller 90 by securing the car seat to the adapter 170using straps 173. The straps 173 may be coupled to joints 172 or to anyother part of the structure. In addition, in the illustrated example, afabric enclosure 174 is coupled to the car seat adapter 170 to provideadditional storage space. The straps 173 are releasably couplable toeach other and may be used, where no car seat is present, as a handlefor the fabric enclosure. In the examples describes herein theaccessories (e.g., the sit or stand structure 92, basket 160 and/or carseat adapter 170) are interchangeably couplable to the stroller 90.Further, the accessories are couplable to the stroller 90 via first andsecond bayonet coupling mechanisms, as described herein.

FIG. 18 shows another example stroller 200 that includes an alternativeexample sit or stand structure 202. In this description, and throughoutthe examples described in this specification, similar numbers will beused to describe similar structures. Furthermore, some of the structuresthat are described above with other examples, will not be describedagain with respect to the examples of FIGS. 18-24.

The example sit or stand structure 202 of FIG. 18 is similar to the sitor stand structure 92 of FIG. 3 and couples to the example stroller 200in the same manner as the example sit or stand structure 92 couples tothe example stroller 90. However, in the example of FIG. 18, the sit andstand structure 202 includes a seat 204 that faces rearward or toward anadult pushing the stroller 200. Thus, a child occupying the sit or standstructure 202 in a seated position would face rearward toward an adultpushing the stroller 200, and a child occupying the sit or standstructure 202 in a standing position (FIG. 19) could face forward orrearward. Furthermore, in this example, the child enters the example sitor stand structure 202 from the rear of the stroller 200.

The example sit or stand structure 202 of FIG. 18 includes an examplehandle bar 206 that is pivotable between a lowered position (FIG. 18)and a raised position (FIG. 19). In the lowered or seated position, thehandle bar 206 secures a child occupant that is seated in the sit orstand structure 202, as described above. In the raised or standingposition, the handle bar 206 is clear from an area occupied by the childand facilitates entry of the child onto the sit or stand structure 202(or exit from the sit or stand structure 202). The handle bar 206 may bemoved to the raised position when a child is entering the sit or standstructure 202 to occupy the seat 204 in a seated or standing position.The handle bar 206 is moved between the raised or lowered position via apivot joint and locks downward as described above in other examples.

FIGS. 20-22 show the seat 204 portion of the example sit or standstructure 202 stroller of FIG. 18 with the handle bar 206 removed forclarity. The seat 204 includes a seat pan 208 and a seat back 210. Theseat pan 208 is coupled to the seat back 210 via a pivotable hinge 212and two side panels 214. In the illustrated example, the seat pan 208includes a central stiffening board that may be covered with a softgoods (e.g., a foam padding) and then covered with a fabric covering216. The seat pan 208 is rotatable about the pivotable hinge 212 betweena lowered or seat position (FIG. 20) and a raised or standing position(FIG. 21). To move the seat pane 208 between the lowered and raisedpositions, the user grabs a portion of the seat pan 208 and raises orlowers it. In the process, the side panels 214, which are freelycollapsible, move between an extended or deployed position (when theseat pan 208 is lowered) and a folded or collapsed position (when theseat pan is raised). In the lowered position, the seat pan 208 serves asa support surface for a child occupying the sit or stand structure 202in a seated position. In the raised position, the seat pan 208 clearsthe area occupied by the child to enable the child to stand in the sitor stand structure 202 without obstruction from the seat.

FIG. 22 illustrates an example mechanism for securing the seat pan 208in the raised position. The seat 204 includes one or more straps 218that are coupled, for example, to the seat pan 208. In the illustratedexample, the example straps 218 are coupled to a rear of the seat pan208. In other examples, the example straps 218 may be coupled to aninterior of the seat pan 208, to a top of the seat pan 208, to the sidepanels 214, to the seat back, to the frame 19, 20 of the stroller 200and/or in any other suitable position. Furthermore, there may be anynumber (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.) of example straps 218. The straps 218are couplable to the seat back 210 to hold the seat pan 208 in theraised position. In the illustrated example, the example straps 218 arecoupled to the seat back 210 via one or more slots 220 in the seat back210, which is also covered in the example fabric 216. The example straps218 may be loop and hook fasteners (e.g., Velcro® fasteners), snapfasteners or any other suitable releasable mechanical fastener(s).

FIG. 23 is a cross sectional view of the example stroller 200 of FIG. 18taken along line 23-23 of FIG. 18 showing a side of the example sit orstand support 202 facing the center of the stroller 200. Thus, the rearside of the seat back 210 (i.e., the side toward the center of thestroller 200) is shown. The example seat back 210 includes an upper orheadrest portion 222, which, in some examples includes additionalpadding, a contoured shape, adjustable right and left head supportwings, headrest height adjustment mechanisms, and/or a fabric coveringof the same or different material as the fabric cover 216. In addition,in the illustrated example, the seat back 210 includes an examplestanding grip 224 and grip slot 226. When a child occupies the examplesit or stand structure 202 in the standing position, the child may graspthe standing grip 224, which may include, for example, disposing thechild's fingers and/or hand through the grip slot 226 to support thechild in the standing position, for example, when the stroller is inmotion. In other examples, there may be one or more standing gripslocated on the sides of the seat back 210 and/or elsewhere on theexample sit or stand structure 202 and/or the example stroller frame 19,20.

The example stroller 200 also includes an example storage compartment228. The example storage compartment 228, in this example, is anopen-top basket comprised of fabric side panels 230 that may be, forexample, mesh panels. The storage compartment 228 also includes a topframe 232, which is pivotably coupled to the frame 19, 20 of thestroller 200, and a step 234. The user may press the example step 234 tomove the example stroller 200 between an open or in-use position and afolded or storage position. When the step 234 is pressed downward, thetop frame 232 of the storage compartment 228 rotates with respect to thestroller frame 19, 20 to move the stroller 200 from the open position tothe folded position. The step 234 and the top frame 232 may also includea locking feature to lock the step 234 and the top frame 232 withrespect to the stroller frame 19, 20. With the locking feature, the useris required to actuate a release in addition to the step 234 to move thestroller 200 from the open position to the folded position. In addition,with the locking feature, the step 234 will remain stable upon theapplication of a downward force if the release has not been actuated.Thus, a child climbing into or out of the example stroller 200 will notcause the example stroller 200 to collapse unintentionally.

The example storage compartment 228 also includes an example footplatform 140, which is discussed above. However, in the example shown inFIG. 24, the example foot platform 140 is coupled to the cross-bar 96(FIGS. 5, 24) in the opposite direction than described above in theexample stroller 90. As a result, the foot platform 140 faces toward therear of the example stroller 200. The foot platform 140 supports theweight of a child entering or exiting the example stroller 140 or whilethe child occupies the example sit or stand structure 202 in thestanding position.

In use, a user of the example strollers 10, 90, 200 described herein mayremove one or more of the first seat 26, 93 and/or the second seat 58,94, 204 from the stroller 10, 90, 200. The user may mount one of theaccessories 40, 92, 160, 170, 202, in place of one of the first orsecond seats 26, 58, 93, 94, 204. In some examples, the accessory 40,92, 202 includes the third seat 58, 94, 204 and the platform 82, 140.The platform 82, 140 provides the standing surface for a strolleroccupant whereby the stroller occupant can selectively stand on thestanding surface 82, 140 or sit on the third seat 58, 94, 204. Inaddition, the user may pivot a handle 54, 56, 116, 206 to a positionsubstantially surrounding an area above the platform 82, 140 to providea gripping surface for the occupant when standing on the standingsurface 82, 140. Also, as described above, other accessories 40, 92,160, 170, 202 such as, for example, a basket 160, 170 and/or a car seatadapter 170 may be mounted to the stroller 10, 90, 200 in place of atleast one of the first, second or the third seats 26, 58, 93, 94, 204 orin place of the other of the basket 160, 170 or the car seat adapter170.

To manufacture the example strollers 10, 90, 200 described herein, thewheeled frame 19, 20 is provided with the removable seat 26, 58, 93, 94,204. Furthermore, at least one of the accessories 40, 92, 160, 170, 202is also provided. As noted above, the accessory 40, 92, 160, 170, 202 ismountable to the frame 19, 20 in place of the removable seat 26, 58, 93,94, 204. Some of the accessories 40, 92, 202 include the second seat 58,94, 204 and the platform 82, 140. As noted above, the platform 82, 140provides the standing surface for a stroller occupant so the strolleroccupant can selectively stand on the standing surface 82, 140 or sit onthe second seat 58, 94, 204. The pivot handle 54, 56, 116, 206 is alsoprovided, which, as detailed above, is pivotable to a positionsubstantially surrounding an area above the platform 82, 140 to providea gripping surface for the occupant when standing on the standingsurface 82, 140. In addition, one or more of the other accessories 160,170 (e.g., the basket 160, 170 or the car seat adapter 170) also may beprovided to be mounted to the stroller 10, 90, 200 in place of at leastone of the first or second seats 26, 58, 93, 94, 204 or in place of theother of the basket 160, 170 or the car seat adapter 170.

Though not shown in the illustrated examples, the example strollersdescribed herein may also include other features including activity orfood trays, music player holders, music players, adjustable canopies,adjustable headrests, adjustable seat backs, and/or harnesses that areadjustable and/or sewn into the seats and/or couplable to a crotchpiece. In addition, the features described in the examples herein may beused in whole or in part in any of the other examples.

Although certain example methods and apparatus have been describedherein, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. Onthe contrary, this patent covers all methods, apparatus and articles ofmanufacture fairly falling within the scope of the disclosure eitherliterally or under the doctrine of equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A stroller comprising: a frame; a seat coupled tothe frame having a seat pan, wherein the seat pan is pivotable between araised position and a lowered position, the seat pan to support a childin a seated position when the seat pan is in the lowered position; astorage compartment beneath the seat pan when the seat pan is in thelowered position, wherein when the seat pan is in the raised position,the storage compartment is accessible, and a seal comprising a groove inthe seat pan to releaseably engage a top rim of the storage compartmentwhen the seat pan is in the lowered position, the seal to releaseablylock the seat pan in the lowered position.
 2. A stroller as defined inclaim 1 further comprising a foot platform coupled to the frame adjacentthe seat to support a child in a standing position, wherein the footplatform includes a collapsible leg.
 3. A stroller as defined in claim2, wherein at least a portion of the foot platform is vertically below aportion of the seat when the seat pan is in the lowered position, theseat further comprises a seat back and the seat pan is releaseablycoupled to the seat back when the seat pan is in the raised position toenable a child to stand on at least a portion of the foot platform.
 4. Astroller as defined in claim 3, wherein the seat back comprises a handgrip for use by a child in the standing position.
 5. A stroller asdefined in claim 2, wherein the foot platform is removable.
 6. Astroller as defined in claim 2 further comprising a handle substantiallysurrounding an area above the foot platform to provide a grippingsurface for the occupant when standing on the standing surface.
 7. Astroller as defined in claim 6, wherein the handle is pivotable from afirst position surrounding the area above the platform to a secondposition to facilitate entry to the platform.
 8. A stroller as definedin claim 2, wherein the platform is pivotable between a deployedposition and a stowed position.
 9. A stroller as defined in claim 2,wherein the foot platform is coupled to the seat.
 10. A stroller asdefined in claim 1, wherein the seat is removably coupled to thestroller frame.
 11. A stroller as defined in claim 1, wherein thestroller frame comprises a first seat mount and a second seat mount, andthe seat comprises a first coupling receptacle couplable to the firstseat mount and a second coupling receptacle couplable to the second seatmount, at least one of the first seat mount or the second seat mountincludes a release latch to releaseably engage at least one of the firstcoupling receptacle or the second coupling receptacle.
 12. A stroller asdefined in claim 11, wherein the release latch is a spring-loadedbutton.
 13. A stroller as defined in claim 11, further comprising one ormore of a basket or a car seat adapter, the one or more basket or carseat adapter being removeably couplable to the first seat mount and thesecond seat mount.
 14. A stroller as defined in claim 1 furthercomprising a pivotable handle that is pivotable relative to the seat andthat has a raised position and a lowered position, in the raisedposition, the pivotable handle enables a child to enter or exit thestroller and in the lowered position, the pivotable handle substantiallysurrounds a child seated or standing in the stroller.
 15. A stroller asdefined in claim 14, wherein the pivotable handle includes a biasingmember to bias the pivotable handle to the lowered position.
 16. Astroller as defined in claim 15, wherein the biasing member is a torsionspring.
 17. A stroller as defined in claim 14, wherein the pivotablehandle is coupled to the seat.
 18. A stroller as defined in claim 17,wherein the pivotable handle is coupled to the seat via a firstextension and a second extension, wherein at least one of the firstextension or the second extension includes a locking mechanism toreleaseably lock the pivotable handle in the lowered position.
 19. Astroller as defined in claim 18, wherein the locking mechanism includesa button that is selectively engageable with a latch to cause the latchto engage or disengage an interior wall of the joint extension.
 20. Astroller as defined in claim 19, wherein the button acts against theforce of a spring.
 21. A stroller as defined in claim 1 furthercomprising an alternative seat to be mounted to the frame in place ofthe seat.
 22. A stroller as defined in claim 1, wherein the seat ismounted to the frame via first and second bayonet coupling mechanisms.23. A stroller as defined in claim 1, further comprising a basket to bemounted to the frame in place of the seat.
 24. A stroller as defined inclaim 23, wherein the basket is mounted to the frame via first andsecond bayonet coupling mechanisms.
 25. A stroller as defined in claim23, wherein the basket comprises a car seat adapter.
 26. A stroller asdefined in claim 1 further comprising a car seat adapter to be mountedto the frame in place of the seat.
 27. A stroller as defined in claim26, wherein the car seat adapter is mounted to the frame via first andsecond bayonet coupling mechanisms.
 28. A stroller as defined in claim1, wherein the stroller includes a parent handle bar for pushing thestroller, and a second seat that faces away from the parent handle bar.29. A stroller as defined in claim 1, wherein the stroller includes aparent handle bar for pushing the stroller, and a second seat that facestoward the parent handle bar.